How to Remove Permanent Marker From Paper

Removing permanent marker from paper is tricky, but not impossible. Paper is porous, so it absorbs the ink, making it difficult to completely remove. But with a few surprising household ingredients such as nail polish remover, hairspray and toothpaste, you can eradicate most permanent marker stains from paper.

The success of the method you choose for paper stain removal depends largely on the thickness of the paper. Thick paper products, like card stock, cardboard, poster board or construction paper can stand up to harsher substances. Thinner papers are more likely to tear or stain during the process of removing the ink, so ​proceed with caution​.

Use polish remover before any of the other suggested solvents. It is the least likely to damage or stain the paper.

Soak a cotton swab with nail polish remover.

Dab a few drops of the nail polish remover on the ink spot to be removed, but do not saturate the paper.

Allow the nail polish remover to dissipate the ink.

Soak the nail polish remover up from the paper with a clean, dry paper towel or rag.

Repeat until all of the ink has been removed.

Hairspray works as a stain remover because of the alcohol it contains. High-end hairsprays that are formulated not to dry out your hair likely do not contain enough alcohol to be an effective stain remover. For permanent ink stain removal, use the cheapest hairspray you can find, and verify it contains alcohol.

Lay a dry rag or paper towel underneath your piece of paper to absorb any ink that soaks through.

Spray the ink stain thoroughly with the hairspray. Allow the hairspray to sit for several minutes.

Dab the surface of the paper with a damp cloth to remove the ink.

Repeat until all of the ink has been removed.

Toothpaste works well for paper ink stain removal because of the bleaching agents it contains. But because toothpaste is also abrasive, use it with caution to avoid damaging the paper as you attempt to remove the permanent ink stain. This method would work best on thicker paper types -- cardboard -- that can resist tearing during the stain removal process.

Apply a small amount of toothpaste to a damp cloth.

Rub the toothpaste on the stain with the rag until it starts to pick up the ink.

Remove the toothpaste with a clean damp rag.

Apply the toothpaste to a damp soft toothbrush if the rag method doesn't work. Gently scrub the ink stain with the toothbrush.

Wipe the area clean with a clean rag and allow the paper to dry.

If none of these methods work, use white distilled vinegar, rubbing alcohol or other alcohol-based products such as hand sanitizer.

Lay a dry paper towel or rag underneath the paper to absorb any liquid and ink that may soak through.

Apply a small amount of the cleaning solvent to the cotton swab. Dab it onto the ink stain on the paper.

Allow the solvent to soak into the paper.

Dab with a clean, damp cloth or paper towel to soak up the solvent and the ink.

Repeat until the paper ink stain removal is complete.